Quick Summary: The Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B cap registration period was scheduled to run from noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, through noon Eastern Time on March 19, 2026. For employers with a pending or planned H-1B matter, the January 2026 update explained the electronic registration steps, the $215 registration fee, the information needed, and proposed changes to lottery selection. This article summarizes that update in plain language and should not be treated as legal advice.

What the H-1B Lottery Is

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to seek work authorization for certain foreign professionals. There is a limited number of H-1B cap numbers available each fiscal year. When more people are registered than there are available cap numbers, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses a lottery to decide which registrations may move forward.

The FY 2027 initial registration period was scheduled to open at noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and close at noon Eastern Time on March 19, 2026. These were specific opening and closing times. Employers needed to complete the online registration process before the deadline.

For employers, HR professionals, and businesses, the main practical lesson is to prepare early. H-1B matters can involve deadlines, employer information, worker information, and separate government fees.

Step One: Set Up Accounts and Register Online

According to the January 2026 update, employers and their attorneys needed accounts through the myUSCIS.gov system to take part in the H-1B registration process. The employer then had to submit the registration electronically.

If an employer worked with an immigration attorney, both the employer and attorney needed to coordinate through the online system. This means it was important to confirm who would prepare the registration, who would review the information, and how the filing would be completed before the registration window closed.

Ventresca & Ventresca LLP helps employers understand the steps involved in immigration matters so they can address time-sensitive requirements with clear information and appropriate legal guidance.

The Registration Fee and Why Payment Matters

The update stated that the registration fee was $215 for each person registered. This fee was nonrefundable. It had to be paid online through the pay.gov portal.

The registration fee was separate from other fees that could be required later if a registration was selected and the employer moved forward with an H-1B petition. Employers should not assume that payment of the registration fee completes the entire H-1B process.

The update also warned that USCIS may deny or revoke an H-1B visa if a registration contains false information or if the registration fee is not properly paid. In plain language, employers should carefully review the registration and confirm that the payment process is completed correctly.

Information Employers Needed to Prepare

Electronic registration required information about both the employer and the foreign worker. Preparing this information in advance could help employers avoid rushing near the deadline.

For the employer, the update listed the following information:

• Company name
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
• Company address
• Representative contact details
• Attorney information, when an attorney was involved

For the foreign worker, the update listed several identifying details, including:

• Full name and date of birth
• Country of birth and country of citizenship
• Gender and passport number
• Whether the worker had a master’s degree from a U.S. institution of higher education
• Wage-level information

Employers should take special care with wage-level information. The update identified four wage levels, from Level I through Level IV, and advised employers to speak with their immigration attorney to determine the appropriate wage level for each registrant.

One Lottery Chance for Each Worker

The update described a beneficiary-centric selection process. Under this approach, each foreign worker has one chance in the lottery, even if more than one employer submits a registration for that worker.

USCIS uses passport information or travel-document information to make sure the same person is entered only once. In practical terms, multiple registrations for the same worker do not create multiple lottery chances for that individual.

This is an important point for businesses planning H-1B sponsorship. Employers should understand the process before discussing options with prospective employees or coordinating with other organizations.

The Weighted Selection Process Described in the Update

The January 2026 update also described a new weighted selection process for the FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery. Under the process described, selection would not be completely random. Registrations for jobs with higher wage levels would have a better chance of being selected than registrations with lower wage levels.

The update explained that the government groups wages for a job and location into four levels. Level I is generally associated with entry-level work, while Level IV is generally associated with senior-level work. Based on the update, the wage level connected to the offered position could affect the chance of selection.

The same update noted that this weighted selection process would likely face a court challenge, which could delay or stop its implementation. Employers should not make decisions based only on a general summary. Immigration rules and procedures can change, and each matter may involve different facts.

What Selection Could Mean for the Next Step

If a registration was selected, the employer could be able to move forward with an H-1B petition. The update stated that USCIS permits a start date on or after October 1, as long as the start date is within six months of filing the petition.

Selection was an important step, but it was not the end of the process. The employer still needed to meet the requirements for the petition filing and follow applicable deadlines and rules.

As a Wexford, Pennsylvania law firm serving employers and HR professionals, Ventresca & Ventresca LLP provides responsive immigration law guidance for matters that require careful preparation and timely attention.

FAQ

Was the FY 2027 registration fee refundable?

No. The January 2026 update stated that the $215 fee for each person registered was nonrefundable.

Can several employers give one worker more chances in the lottery?

No. Under the beneficiary-centric process described in the update, each worker had one chance in the lottery even if multiple employers submitted registrations for that person.

What information should an employer prepare?

Employers should prepare company information, contact details, attorney information when applicable, and the worker’s identifying information, degree information, passport information, and wage-level information.

Could salary affect lottery selection?

The update described a weighted process in which higher wage levels would have better selection chances than lower wage levels. It also stated that the process could be challenged in court, which could delay or stop implementation.

When could an H-1B worker start after selection?

The update stated that USCIS permits a start date on or after October 1 if the start date is within six months of filing the petition.

If this update affects a pending or planned H-1B matter, contact Ventresca & Ventresca LLP to discuss your situation and next steps.